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Calumet County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Calumet County?

Public records in Calumet County are defined under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.32 as any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that has been created or is being kept by any government authority. This broad definition encompasses the vast majority of documents produced or maintained by county, municipal, and state agencies operating within Calumet County.

Members of the public may access the following categories of records maintained by Calumet County offices:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Calumet County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public may also conduct statewide searches through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts are recorded and maintained by the Calumet County Register of Deeds. Property assessment data is held by the County Assessor's office.
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Calumet County Clerk and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
  • Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and local municipal clerks.
  • Tax records — Property tax records and assessment rolls are maintained by the Calumet County Treasurer and the County Assessor.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Calumet County Clerk in accordance with state election law.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of county board meetings, committee proceedings, and public hearings are maintained by the Calumet County Clerk.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Calumet County Administrative offices.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Calumet County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The City of Chilton makes police reports and other municipal records available upon request.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Calumet County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Calumet County an Open Records County?

Calumet County fully complies with Wisconsin's open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31, the legislature declares that providing the public with the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees is an essential function of a representative government. This policy applies to all county departments, municipal offices, and other governmental bodies operating within Calumet County.

Key provisions of the Wisconsin Open Records Law include:

  • Every person has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority, subject only to specific statutory exemptions.
  • Custodians of records are required to respond to requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
  • Denial of a request must be accompanied by a written statement citing the specific legal authority for the denial.

Calumet County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in compliance with the statewide framework established under Wisconsin's sunshine laws. Municipal entities within the county, including the Town of Chilton, maintain their own open records procedures consistent with state requirements. Members of the public may submit an open records request to the Town of Chilton directly through the town's official portal.

How to Find Public Records in Calumet County in 2026

Locating public records in Calumet County involves identifying the appropriate custodial office and submitting a request through the accepted channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

  1. Identify the record type and custodian. Determine which county or municipal office maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Courts; vital records by the County Clerk; and law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office or relevant municipal police department.
  2. Submit a written request. While Wisconsin law does not require requests to be in writing, submitting a written request — by mail, email, or in person — creates a clear record of the inquiry. Many offices provide standardized request forms on their websites.
  3. Use online portals where available. Court records may be searched statewide through the Wisconsin Court System's case search tool. Property and tax records may be accessible through the county's online land records system.
  4. Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant county office. No appointment is required for general inspection at most offices.
  5. Request copies if needed. Copies may be requested at the time of inspection or by mail. Standard fees apply as described below.
  6. Submit municipal requests separately. Records held by municipalities such as the Village of Sherwood are requested directly from those entities. The Village of Sherwood open records request process is available through the village's official website.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Calumet County?

Current fees for public records in Calumet County are governed by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3), which authorizes record custodians to charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription. Standard fees applicable across most Calumet County offices include:

  • Paper copies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set their own rates within statutory limits.
  • Certified copies: Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry a standard state fee of $20.00 per certified copy, as set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
  • Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are generally limited to the cost of the medium (e.g., a USB drive or CD) and staff time for locating and compiling the records.
  • Research and retrieval fees: Where a request requires substantial staff time to locate, compile, or redact records, custodians may charge for that time at the applicable hourly rate.
  • Register of Deeds recording fees: Document recording fees are set by state statute and vary by document type and number of pages.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute, though custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly where disclosure serves a significant public interest.

Does Calumet County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge under Wisconsin's open records law. The right to inspect does not require payment; fees apply only when copies or reproductions are requested. The following resources provide free access to Calumet County public records:

  • In-person inspection at the Calumet County Clerk's office, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, and other county offices during regular business hours — at no cost.
  • Wisconsin Court System case search — Members of the public may search and view court records for cases filed in Calumet County Circuit Court and other Wisconsin courts at no charge through the state's online portal.
  • County land records portal — Property ownership, assessment, and tax information may be accessible online through the Calumet County land records system without charge.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — County board and committee records are posted on the Calumet County website and are freely accessible to the public.
  • Municipal records portals — The City of Chilton and other municipalities within the county provide access to certain records through their official websites at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Calumet County?

Any person may request public records in Calumet County. Wisconsin's open records law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Specifically:

  • Residency is not required. Non-residents of Wisconsin have the same right to request and inspect public records as state residents.
  • Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not, as a condition of access, require a requester to identify themselves or state the purpose of the request, except in limited circumstances involving specific record types.
  • Purpose need not be stated. Under current law, requesters are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record. Custodians may not deny access solely because a purpose is not provided.
  • Restrictions apply to certain record types. Some records — such as those containing personal identifying information, juvenile records, or sealed court files — are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
  • Requesting your own records. Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own criminal history or personnel file, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

Entities including corporations, nonprofit organizations, news media, and government agencies may also submit public records requests under the same framework applicable to individual members of the public.

What Records Are Confidential in Calumet County?

Not all government records in Calumet County are subject to public disclosure. Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36 and related provisions identify categories of records that are exempt from the general right of public access. Confidential or restricted records currently include:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are protected under Wisconsin's Children's Code.
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly disclosed records.
  • Medical and health records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure.
  • Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
  • Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public officials' exercise of their duties.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records that, if disclosed, would jeopardize public safety or critical infrastructure security are exempt from disclosure.

When a custodian withholds a record, Wisconsin law requires that the denial be based on a specific statutory exemption and that the custodian apply a balancing test weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure would cause.

Calumet County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Calumet County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for recording and maintaining property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and land contracts. The office is open to the public during regular business hours for in-person inspection and recording services.

Calumet County Register of Deeds 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014 (920) 849-1454 Calumet County Register of Deeds

Calumet County Clerk 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014 (920) 849-1458 Calumet County Clerk

Calumet County Clerk of Courts 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014 (920) 849-1414 Calumet County Clerk of Courts

Calumet County Sheriff's Office 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014 (920) 849-2335 Calumet County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours for principal county offices are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Members of the public are advised to confirm current hours directly with the relevant office prior to visiting, as hours may vary by department or season.

Lookup Public Records in Calumet County